Dear friends,
Each year on December 10 the world commemorates International Human Rights Day. B'Tselem promotes the protection of human rights in the Occupied Territories every day of the year. Today, I want to look beyond our immediate surroundings to the global human rights community of which B'Tselem is proud to be a member. Thousands of organizations around the world champion human rights in their own country. Their work is amplified by international organizations who also work to ensure that the major powers make human rights a central component of their foreign as well as domestic policy. Human rights are based on the universal principle that everyone is entitled to the same rights and that all authorities must respect these rights. This is the concept that underlies the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. The atrocities perpetrated during World War II made it clear that a state's abuse of its own citizens was not an internal matter, and that a universal commitment was required to ensure that basic rights are upheld.
It is impossible to talk about human rights without mentioning Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest defenders of human rights and liberties that the world has ever known and who passed away last week. Mandela's courageous struggle will continue to be a shining beacon to us and to defenders of human rights everywhere. His passing does not dim his legacy, nor will it be forgotten. It will continue to fuel the struggle for equality, liberty and justice. As Mandela put it so eloquently: "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others".
The fight for human rights requires dedication and perseverance. In some places it also requires real courage. Many human rights organizations around the world operate in hostile environments, and human rights defenders risk their freedom and their lives to document violations, disseminate information, criticize government policy and defend victims. I am well aware of the fact that we here in Israel operate in a very different reality. We are completely free to conduct our research and documentation, and voice our criticism of government and military policy without fear of arrest, torture or potential harm to our family members, as suffered by our colleagues elsewhere.
In honor of International Human Rights Day, we dedicate this newsletter to the struggle of courageous human rights defenders around the world, the men and women who work under impossible conditions to realize the vision of a world where everyone's rights are respected, as all are "born equal in dignity and rights".
Jessica Montell
Director, B’Tselem
